TNT banked on a third-quarter explosion from Roger Pogoy to crush Alaska, 104-83, and clinch its semifinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Saturday, November 14.

Pogoy unloaded 16 of his 34 points in a third-quarter masterpiece as the twice-to-beat Tropang Giga broke away in the second half to become the second team to advance to the Final Four after Barangay Ginebra.

With the score knotted at 51-51 at halftime, Pogoy – who already had 18 points in the first half – continued to wax hot and buried 4 three-pointers in a 33-13 run TNT used to break the game wide open.

Also finishing with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, Pogoy singlehandedly outscored the Aces, who tallied only 15 third-quarter points, in the period.

Ray Parks put up 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Rosario chalked up 10 points in the win.

“First half, we were struggling, but we managed to tie the game,” Tropang Giga head coach Bong Ravena said. “It is a tough game for us but we were able to pull it through.”

Alaska looked like its on the way to forcing a do-or-die match after leading by as many as 11 points, 51-40, but TNT leveled the score at halftime off an 11-0 spurt capped by a Simon Enciso triple.

The blowout win afforded the Tropang Giga to manage the playing time of Jayson Castro, who saw action for only 17 minutes as he continues to regain his top form from a calf injury.

Despite the limited minutes, Castro still contributed 8 points and 5 assists off the bench.

Poy Erram had 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the victory.

Jeron Teng led the Aces with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, Vic Manuel churned out 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Maverick Ahanmisi added 12 points and 2 steals.

Alaska suffered a double black eye in the loss as it saw veteran guard Abel Galliguez sustain a gash following a nasty fall early in the final quarter.

Galliguez left the venue and had to be brought to the Medical City Clark.

The Scores

TNT 104 – Pogoy 34, Parks 20, Rosario 10, Erram 9, Castro 8, Enciso 6, Semerad 4, Washington 4, Reyes 2, Montalbo 2, Vosotros 0, Flores 0.

Alaska 83 – Teng 13, Ahanmisi 12, Manuel 12, Herndon 11, Brondial 9, Ayaay 8, Tratter 6, DiGregorio 4, Ebona 4, Casio 2, Marcelino 2, Andrada 0, Publico 0.

Quarters : 28-23, 51-51, 84-66, 104-83.

– Rappler.com